When high school coaches gather each postseason to cast their votes for all-section and all-division honorees, the scenario is best summed up, “To the victors belong the spoils.”

Which is why individual players on state champion Chandler Seton Catholic and runner-up Blue Ridge will be reaping most of the section and division laurels.

Photo by Max Foster

Kyle Brown

Photo by Max Foster

Tyus Sarnowski

Photo by Max Foster

Eric Vohs

But Payson, which finished 6-5 under first-year coach Jake Swartwood, fared reasonably well in the Section IV coaches’ voting, landing a first team player, second team honoree and three honorable mentions.

R.J. Cox, a 5-foot, 7-inch 165-pound running back and corner back, was named to the S-IV first team as a punt returner. During the past season, Cox returned two punts for touchdowns, prompting opposing coaches to often instruct their punters to kick away from him.

For the Longhorns, Brown held down starting honors at both guard and could play any of the three linebacker positions. He often emerged as the defensive leader, especially in a win over Miami when he and fellow defenders held the Vandals’ star running back to 17 yards on 12 carries.

Sarnowski, the team’s starting quarterback last season, moved to wide receiver on offense and was often signal caller Gunner Goodman’s favorite target.

Boatman was at his finest in the Horns’ 44-0 shellacking of Miami when he returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a TD and scored later in the half on a 61-yard run.

All Division IV honorees have not yet been announced, but Swartwood does not expect any PHS players to be chosen partly because the competition is so fierce in a division that includes 30-plus schools.

Also, members of the Arizona Football Coaches Association will gather Dec. 1, to select all-star players who will participate in the annual North vs. South game next summer. Only seniors are eligible to be chosen.